Quality of service support in a media exchange network

ABSTRACT

Certain aspects of the invention for controlling transfer of media content in a communication network may comprise the step of receiving an input specifying at least one media file for transfer via a communication channel in the communication network. Based on a received selection specifying various quality of service (QoS) parameters to be utilized to transfer one or more of the media files, one or more of the media files may be transferred via the communication channel utilizing at least some of the received quality of service selection. At least a portion of the specified parameters may be transferred to a first communication device such as a broadband headend or a media server that is coupled to the communication network. The second device may utilize some or all of the transferred parameters to configure at least a portion of the communication channel over which the file is transferred.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0001] This application makes reference to, claims priority to, andclaims the benefit of:

[0002] U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/432,472 (AttorneyDocket No. 14185US01 01001 P-BP-2800) filed Dec. 11, 2002;

[0003] U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/443,894 (AttorneyDocket No. 14274US01 01002P-BP-2801) filed Jan. 30, 2003;

[0004] U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/457,179 (AttorneyDocket No. 14825US01 01015P-BP-2831) filed Mar. 25, 2003;

[0005] U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/478,528 (AttorneyDocket No. 14449US01 01034P-BP-2849) filed Jun. 13, 2003;

[0006] U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/443,897 (AttorneyDocket No. 14276US01) filed Jan. 30, 2003;

[0007] U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/444,099 (AttorneyDocket No. 14277US01) filed Jan. 30, 2003;

[0008] U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/443,996 (AttorneyDocket No. 14281US01) filed Jan. 30, 2003;

[0009] U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/444,243 (AttorneyDocket No. 14282US01) filed Jan. 30, 2003;

[0010] U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/464,711 (AttorneyDocket No. 14823US01) filed Apr. 23, 2003;

[0011] U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/457,179 (AttorneyDocket No. 14825US01)filed Mar. 25, 2003; and

[0012] U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/467,867 (AttorneyDocket No. 14967US01) filed May 5, 2003.

[0013] This application also makes reference to:

[0014] U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 14185US0201001 P-BP-2800) filed Sep. 8, 2003; and

[0015] U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 14274US0201002P-BP-2801) filed Sep. 11, 2003.

[0016] All of the above stated applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Certain embodiments of the invention relate to providing aservice in a communication network. In particular, certain embodimentsof the invention relate to a method and system for providing quality ofservice in a communication network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Today, files having different display sizes and levels ofresolution for images and video may be attached to e-mail messages usinga personal computer (PC) and sent to other personal computers via theInternet or an intranet. Also, files may be sent from one location toanother over a network, for example, a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN) utilizing file transfer protocol (FTP) or otherprotocols. The files may be utilized in conjunction with certain mediaplayers such as personal computers, digital versatile disc (DVD)players, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld computers andpersonal computer tablets, for example.

[0019] Depending on the size of a video file or an image file, thecontent may be displayed in different resolution, color content and/ordisplay size. Files are often sent from a source location to adestination location without addressing a consumption quality of thefile. Exemplary consumption quality characteristics or media parameters,may include, display resolution, amount of bandwidth to be utilized totransfer the file, the time required to transfer the file, and any costthat may be associated with transferring the file.

[0020] For example, a source system such as a personal computer mayattempt to send a high-resolution image file to a destination systemsuch as a personal computer over a low bandwidth network, for example,using a dial-up service with a 56K modem. Often, on such networks,throughput is much less that 56 Kbps and as a result, higher resolutionimage files may require a significantly greater amount of time tofacilitate file transfer. The image file may be a very large file of theorder of megabits and may not be compressed any further. In this regard,the high-resolution image file may take a significantly greater amountof time to be transferred from the source personal computer to thedestination personal computer. Accordingly, a higher bandwidth networkconnection, for example, a fiber optic network or Ethernet network maybe required to transfer the image file in a relatively short amount oftime and may cost more than a low bandwidth connection such as adialup-connection.

[0021] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional andtraditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art,through comparison of such systems with the present invention as setforth in the remainder of the present application with reference to thedrawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Certain aspects of the invention may be found in a method andsystem for controlling a transfer of media content in a communicationnetwork. The method for controlling transfer of media content in acommunication network may comprise the step of receiving an inputspecifying at least one media file to be transferred via a communicationchannel in the communication network. A selection specifying variousquality of service (QoS) parameters to be utilized for transferring ofone or more of the media files via the communication channel may also bereceived. Accordingly, one or more of the media files may be transferredvia the communication channel utilizing at least some of the quality ofservice selection.

[0023] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, at least aportion of the specified parameters may be transferred to a firstcommunication device that is coupled to the communication network. Thesecond device may utilize at least a portion of the transferredparameters to configure at least a portion of the communication channel.The first communication device may be a broadband headend or a mediaserver. Notwithstanding, the received input specifying one or more mediafiles to be transferred may be generated and selected from a mediaguide, channel guide or a device guide. In this regard, generatingand/or selecting the received input may be achieved from, for example, atelevision screen within a home. The method may further comprise queuingand/or buffering at least a portion of the selected media files duringtransfer of the media files.

[0024] A cost associated with the quality of service selections that areutilized to transfer the media file via the communication channel may bepresented to a user via, for example, a television screen within a home.The cost may be varied depending on the selected parameters that areutilized to specify the selected quality of service. Exemplaryparameters that may be utilized for transferring the selected mediafiles may comprise a resolution, color content, encoding type, encodingrate, compression type, display size, bandwidth required to transfer theselected media file, a time required for the transfer, and a cost of thetransfer.

[0025] Another embodiment of the invention may provide amachine-readable storage, having stored thereon, a computer programhaving at least one code section for controlling the transfer of mediacontent in a communication network. The at least one code section may beexecutable by a machine, thereby causing the machine to perform thesteps as described above for controlling the transfer of media contentin a communication network.

[0026] Aspects of the system for controlling the transfer of mediacontent in a communication network may comprise at least one processorthat receives an input specifying at least one media file to transfervia a communication channel in the communication network. The processormay also receive a selection specifying various quality of service (QoS)parameters that are to be utilized for the transfer one or more of themedia files via the communication channel. Accordingly, one or more ofthe media files may be transferred by the processor via thecommunication channel utilizing at least some of the selected quality ofservice parameters.

[0027] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the processormay transfer at least a portion of the specified parameters to a firstcommunication device that is coupled to the communication network. Thefirst communication device may be a broadband headend or a media server.In any case, the second device may utilize at least a portion of thetransferred parameters to configure at least a portion of thecommunication channel. In another aspect of the invention, the inputreceived by the processor specifying one or more media files that are tobe transferred may be generated and selected from a media guide, channelguide or a device guide. In this regard, the received input selectionmay be generated from, for example, a television screen within a home.The processor may be further adapted to queue and/or buffer at least aportion of the selected media files while transferring the media files.

[0028] A cost associated with the quality of service selections that areutilized to transfer the media file via the communication channel may bepresented by the processor to a user via, for example, a televisionscreen within a home. The processor may be configured to vary the costdepending on the selected parameters that are utilized to specify theselected quality of service. Exemplary parameters that may be utilizedto transfer the selected media files may comprise a resolution, colorcontent, encoding type, encoding rate, compression type, display size,bandwidth required to transfer the selected media file, a time requiredfor the transfer, and a cost of the transfer. The processor may be amedia processing system processor, a media management system processor,a computer processor, a media exchange software processor and/or a mediaperipheral processor.

[0029] These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of thepresent invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodimentthereof, will be more fully understood from the following descriptionand drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a media exchangenetwork 100 that may be utilized in connection with providing quality ofservice (QoS) support, in accordance with various aspects of theinvention.

[0031]FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps of a methodthat may be utilized to provide quality of service support on the mediaexchange network of FIG. 1, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

[0032]FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a first exemplary mediaexchange network in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0033]FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of performing personal mediaexchange over a second exemplary media exchange network in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of performing third-partymedia exchange over a third exemplary media exchange network inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 6 is an exemplary illustration of a TV guide channel userinterface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036]FIG. 7 is an exemplary illustration of several instantiations of aTV guide channel user interface of FIG. 4 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

[0037]FIG. 8 is an exemplary illustration of a TV guide channel userinterface showing several options of a pushed media in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

[0038]FIG. 9A is a schematic block diagram of a media processing system(MPS) interfacing to media capture peripherals in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

[0039]FIG. 9B illustrates an alternative embodiment of a mediaprocessing system (MPS) in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

[0040]FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a PC and an MPSinterfacing to a server on a media exchange network in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

[0041]FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a PC interfacing topersonal media capture devices and remote media storage on a mediaexchange network in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Various aspects of the invention may be found in a method andsystem for controlling transfer of media content in a communicationnetwork. The method for controlling transfer of media content in acommunication network may comprise receiving an input specifying atleast one media file that is to be transferred via a communicationchannel in the communication network. Based on a received selectionspecifying various quality of service (QoS) parameters to be utilized totransfer one or more of the media files, one or more of the media filesmay be transferred via the communication channel utilizing at least someof the received quality of service parameter selections. At least aportion of the specified parameters may be transferred to a firstcommunication device such as a broadband headend or a media server thatis coupled to the communication network. The second device may utilizeat least a portion of the transferred parameters to configure at least aportion of the communication channel.

[0043] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the received inputspecifying one or more media files to be transferred may be generatedand selected from a media guide, channel guide or a device guidedisplayed on a television screen within a home. At least a portion ofthe selected media files may be queued and/or buffered while beingtransferred. A cost associated with the quality of service selectionsthat are used to transfer the media file via the communication channelmay be presented to a user via, for example, a television screen withina home. The cost may be varied depending on the selected parameters thatare utilized to specify the selected quality of service. Exemplaryparameters for transferring the selected media files may include, butare not limited to, a resolution, color content, encoding type, encodingrate, compression type, display size, bandwidth required to transfer theselected media file, a time required for the transfer, and a cost of thetransfer.

[0044]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a media exchangenetwork 100 that may be utilized in connection with providing quality ofservice (QoS) support, in accordance with various aspects of theinvention. Specifically, the media exchange network 100 may be acommunication network comprising a personal computer (PC) 101, a mediaprocessing system (MPS) 102, and at least one media peripheral (MP) 103at a first location 104. The first location may be a first home, forexample. Additionally, a personal computer 105, a media processingsystem 106, and at least one media peripheral 107 may be located at asecond location 108. The second location 108 may be a home. The mediaperipheral 103 may interface with the personal computer 101 and/or themedia processing system 102 via, for example, a wireless link and/or awired link. The wired link may be a universal serial bus (USB) or aFirewire (IEEE 1394) connection. A personal computer comprising mediaexchange software (MES) running on or being executed by the personalcomputer, may also be referred to as a media processing system.

[0045] The personal computer 101 and the media processing system 102 mayinterface with a broadband access headend 109. The broadband accessheadend 109 may comprise a cable headend, a satellite headend, and/or adigital subscriber line (DSL) headend, in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention. Optionally, the media peripheral 103 mayinterface with the broadband access headend 109. The personal computer101, media processing system 102, and/or media peripheral 103 mayinclude internal modems such as a cable modem or DSL modem, or otherinterface devices in order to communicate with the broadband accessheadend 109. Optionally, the interface device such as a modem may beexternal to the personal computer 101, media processing system 102, andmedia peripheral 103.

[0046] Similarly, the media peripheral 107 may interface with thepersonal computer 105 and/or the media processing system 106 via, forexample, a wireless link and/or a wired link such as a USB or Firewire(IEEE 1394) connection. The personal computer 105 and the mediaprocessing system 106 may interface with a broadband access headend 110.The broadband access headend 110 may include a cable headend, asatellite headend, or a DSL headend, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention. Optionally, the media peripheral107 may interface with the broadband access headend 110. The personalcomputer 105, media processing system 106, and/or media peripheral 107may include internal modems such as a cable modem or DSL modem, or otherinterface device in order to communicate with the broadband accessheadend 110. Optionally, the interface device such as a modem may beexternal to the personal computer 105, media processing system 106, andmedia peripheral 107.

[0047] A media processing system may also comprise a set-top-box (STB),a personal computer, and/or a television with a media management system(MMS). A media management system may also be referred to as a mediaexchange software (MES) platform. Notwithstanding, a media managementsystem may include a software platform operating on at least oneprocessor that may provide certain functionality including userinterface functionality, distributed storage functionality, networkingfunctionality, and automatic control and monitoring of media peripheraldevices. For example, a media management system may provide automaticcontrol of media peripheral devices, automatic status monitoring ofmedia peripheral devices, and inter-home media processing system routingselection. A media processing system may also be referred to as amedia-box and/or an M-box. Any personal computer may indirectly accessand/or control any media peripheral device in instances where thepersonal computer may include a media management system. Such accessand/or control may be accomplished through various communicationpathways via the media processing system or outside of the mediaprocessing system. A media processing system may also have thecapability to automatically access and control any media peripheraldevice without user interaction and/or with user intervention. Apersonal computer (PC) may include media exchange software running on orbeing executed by the personal computer and may be referred to as amedia processing system. The media processing system may also include aspeech recognition engine that may be adapted to receive input speechand utilize the input speech control various functions of the mediaprocessing system.

[0048] Each of the elements or components of the network forcommunicating media or media exchange network may be identified by anetwork protocol address or other identifier which may include, but isnot limited to, an Internet protocol (IP) address, a media accesscontrol (MAC) address and an electronic serial number (ESN). Examples ofelements or components that may be identified by such addresses oridentifiers may include media processing systems, media managementsystems, personal computers, media or content providers, media exchangesoftware platforms and media peripherals.

[0049] The media exchange network 100 may further include a broadbandaccess headend 111 that may be connected between a third location 112,an Internet infrastructure 115 and a media exchange server 113. In oneaspect of the invention, a single central server may support the mediaexchange network 100. However, the invention is not so limited, and atleast one other media exchange server 114 may optionally support themedia exchange network 100 that is coupled to Internet infrastructure115. This optional arrangement may be referred to as a multiserverarrangement. Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention mayinclude two or more media exchange servers strategically located atvarious locations in the media exchange network 100.

[0050] The broadband access headends 109 and 110 may also interface tothe Internet infrastructure 115. The broadband access headend 111 mayinclude a cable headend, a satellite headend, or a DSL headend, inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention. The third location112 may also include a personal computer, a media peripheral system,and/or a media peripheral as part of the media exchange network 100. Thethird location may be a home, for example.

[0051] The media exchange network may also include a media storageserver 116 and a third (3^(rd)) party media server 117, both interfacingto the Internet infrastructure 115. The media storage server 116 mayinteract with the media exchange server 113 and may provide temporaryand/or archival storage for digital media on the media exchange network100. For example, the media storage server 116 may temporarily storemedia files that are addressed to certain media peripheral systemsand/or personal computers on the media exchange network 100. The third(3^(rd)) party media server 117 may store movies, video, user profiles,and other digital media that may be provided to users of the mediaexchange network 100.

[0052] In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, abroadband access headend may be upgraded to a media exchange headend byadding functionality to facilitate the exchange of media on the mediaexchange network in conjunction with the media exchange server. Suchfunctionality may include distributed networking capability and archivalor long term media storage functionality, storage management and digitalrights management. Temporary storage may be utilized to aid in thedistribution and routing of media storage management, and digital rightsmanagement.

[0053] The media exchange server architecture may solve the problem ofcommunication between a device such as a first media peripheral system,a first personal computer and a first media peripheral at a first homeand second device such as a second media peripheral system, a second PCand a second media peripheral at another home over the media exchangenetwork 100. The media exchange servers 113 and 114 may providefunctionality on the media exchange network 100 including deviceregistration, channel/program setup and management, and/or security.

[0054] The various elements of the media exchange network 100 mayinclude storage locations for digital media and data. The storagelocations may include, for example, hard disk drives, a digitalversatile disc (DVD) player, a compact disc (CD) player, floppy diskdrives, RAM, or any combination of these. The storage locations may alsoinclude, for example, CompactFlash™, SmartMedia™, Memory Stick™, SecureDigital™, MultiMedia, PCMCIA, or any combination thereof.

[0055] The personal computers 101, 105 may include desktop PC's, PCtablets, notebook PC's, handhelds, PDA's, or any computing device. Themedia processing systems 102, 106 may be regarded as essentiallyenhanced set-top-boxes. The media processing systems 102, 106 may eachinclude a television screen or monitor for viewing and interacting withvarious user interfaces, media, data, and services that may be availableon the media exchange network. A remote control or pointing device maybe utilized for control and/or navigation during viewing and/orinteraction. The personal computers 101 and 105 may each include amonitor for viewing and/or interacting with various user interfaces,media, data, and services that may be available on the media exchangenetwork using, for example, a keyboard and/or mouse. The mediaprocessing systems, personal computers, and/or media peripherals mayinclude functional software that may support interaction with the mediaexchange servers and media peripherals on the media exchange network100, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

[0056] The media peripherals 103, 107 of the media exchange network 100may include, for example, a digital camera, a digital camcorder, an MP3player, a home juke-box system, a personal digital assistant (PDA), amulti-media gateway device, and various home appliances. The mediaperipherals 103, 107 of the media exchange network 100 may includelegacy media peripherals which are those media peripherals that are inexistence today and are not fully compatible with the media exchangetechnology in accordance with various aspects of the invention. Themedia peripherals 103, 107 may also include new non-legacy mediaperipherals which may not be on the market yet or which are on themarket but in either case will be fully compatible with the technology.A legacy media peripheral may not have the software or interface tointeract directly with a media processing system on a media exchangenetwork.

[0057] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,quality of service (QoS) may be affected by at least the resolutioncontent, the display size, and the color/grey-scale content of a mediafile, the bandwidth used to transfer a media file, the time to transfera media file, and the cost to transfer a media file. Media contenttransferred across a media exchange network often includes images andvideo having different digital media parameters supporting differentlevels of image and display quality. Display quality may also includeaudio quality such as encoding bit rate.

[0058] In a media exchange network, media content is typicallytransferred from one user to another in a channelized manner. In thisregard, the media content may be incorporated within a channel formatand the contents of the channel may be pushed or otherwise communicatedfrom one user to another via a communication network. In accordance withan embodiment of the invention, a user of the media exchange network mayselect a quality of service (QoS) when incorporating media content intoa channel format before pushing or otherwise communicating the media viathe channel to another user over the media exchange network. Forexample, a user may select exemplary media parameters such as resolutioncontent, color content, encoding type, and display size of the mediacontent file. The user may also select a bandwidth to be utilized totransfer the media content file over the media channel on the mediaexchange network. Other media parameters that may be selected mayinclude a time to transfer the media content file, and a cost fortransferring the media content file based on the selection mediaparameters. Bandwidth, time, and cost may usually be interdependent. Forexample, selecting a certain time to transfer a particular file such asa ten (10) Gigabyte video file within 1 hour may, by definition, requirea bandwidth of 1 GHz and cost $10.

[0059]FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps of a methodthat may be utilized to provide quality of service support on the mediaexchange network of FIG. 1, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention. Referring to FIG. 2, in step 201, a media contentfile is selected, via a media processing system, to be transferred froma source location to a destination location on a media exchange network.In step 202, a quality of service (QoS) is selected, via the mediaprocessing system, for the transfer of the media content file. In step203, characteristics of the media content file, characteristics of anetwork path between the source location and the destination location,transfer time, and/or cost to transfer are modified based on theselected quality of service. In step 204, the media content file istransferred from the source location to the destination location overthe media exchange network according to the selected quality of service.In step 205, billing for the transfer of the media content file isperformed based on the selected quality of service.

[0060] In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, referring to FIG.1, a user at the second (2^(nd)) home 108 may have a desire to transfera media content file, using the media processing system 106, to themedia processing system 102 at the first (1^(st)) home 104. The mediacontent file may comprise a digital video file. The user selects themedia content file using the media processing system 106. The user maythen select a quality of service which defines the conditions underwhich the media content file is to be transferred. Selecting the qualityof service options may cause the media content file to be transferred tothe media processing system 102 within one (1) hour, at the highestresolution, the largest display size, with the maximum color content,and over a high bandwidth path through the media exchange network 100.The cost for this selected quality of service may be $10, for example.

[0061] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the broadbandaccess headend 110 may be adapted to provide quality of service supportby modifying the characteristics of the media content file that is thebe transferred. Exemplary characteristics that may be modified by thebroadband access headend 110 may include media content file resolution,color content, display size, encoding and the characteristics of thenetwork path between the media processing system 106 and the mediaprocessing system 102. In the latter case, the exemplary characteristicsmay also define the bandwidth that is to be utilized between the mediaprocessing system 106 and the media processing system 102 to transferthe media content file within, for example, a one (1) hour time period.

[0062] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,quality of service support may be provided by the media exchange server113 on the media exchange network 100. Whenever a media content file isto be transferred from a source location to a destination, the mediaexchange server 113 may serve as an intermediary to process the mediacontent file and set up the network path according to the selectedquality of service. The media exchange server coordinates the transferof the media content file in a channel.

[0063] As another exemplary embodiment of the invention, with referenceto FIG. 8, a user of the media exchange network may push or otherwisecommunicate media such as “Vacation in Alaska Video” over a mediachannel to a friend who may be on the same media exchange network. Amedia guide user interface 800 may provide the user with the capabilityto select several quality of service (QoS) options or parameters 801that may define how media may be pushed and/or otherwise transferred toover a media channel. U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (AttorneyDocket No. 14276US02) filed Sep. 30, 2003 and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 14278US02) filed Sep. 30, 2003 alsoprovides exemplary media view or guide, device view or guide, andchannel view or guide, and are hereby incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

[0064] In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a first, mostexpensive option 803 may be “Express Delivery” which delivers the mediacontent via the media channel to the friend in 18 minutes using queuingat a cost $1.20, for example. The pushed or otherwise communicated mediacontent may be stored in a file in an MPEG-2 format that was recorded ata rate of 4 Mbps, for example. Queuing may comprise buffering anddelivering a previous part of the media and then buffering anddelivering a next part of the media. For example, a first (1st) six (6)minutes of the “Vacation in Alaska Video” may be buffered and deliveredfirst, then a second (2^(nd)) six (6) minutes may be buffered anddelivered next, and so on until the entire media is delivered.

[0065] A second, less expensive option 802 may be “Normal Delivery”which may deliver the media channel in two (2) hours and thirteen (13)minutes without queuing and cost $0.59, for example. The pushed mediacontent may be stored in a file in an MPEG-2 format that was recorded ata rate of 1.5 Mbps, for example.

[0066] A third, least expensive option 804 may be “Overnight Delivery”which would deliver the media channel by the next morning and cost only$0.05, for example. The pushed media content may be stored in a file inan MPEG 2 format that was recorded at a rate of 19 Mbps and stored on aserver, for example.

[0067] A major challenge is to be able to transfer and share manydifferent types of digital media, data, and services between onedevice/location and another with ease while being able to index, manage,and store the digital media and data.

[0068] For example, it is desirable to be able to distribute and storemany types of digital media in a PC and/or television environment in auser-friendly manner without requiring many different types of softwareapplications and/or unique and dedicated interfaces. Any networkingissues or other technical issues should be transparent to the users. Itis also desirable to take advantage of existing hardware infrastructure,as much as possible, when providing such capability.

[0069] In an embodiment of the present invention, a media exchangenetwork is provided that enables many types of digital media, data,and/or services to be stored, indexed, viewed, searched for, pushed fromone user to another, and requested by users, using a media guide userinterface. The media exchange network also allows a user to constructpersonal media channels that comprise his personal digital media (e.g.,captured digital pictures, digital video, digital audio, etc.), requestthat third-party media channels be constructed from third-party digitalmedia, and access the media channels pushed to him by other users on themedia exchange network.

[0070] PC's may be used but are not required to interface to the mediaexchange network for the purpose of exchanging digital media, data, andservices. Instead, set-top-boxes or integrated MPS's (media processingsystems) may be used with the media exchange network to perform all ofthe previously described media exchange functions using a remote controlwith a television screen.

[0071] Current set-top-boxes may be software enhanced to create a MPSthat provides full media exchange network interfacing and functionalityvia a TV screen with a TV guide look-and-feel. PC's may be softwareenhanced as well and provide the same TV guide look-and-feel. Therefore,the media exchange network supports both PC's and MPS's in a similarmanner. Alternatively, a fully integrated MPS may be designed from theground up, having full MPS capability.

[0072] In the case of an MPS configuration, the user takes advantage ofhis remote control and TV screen to use the media exchange network. Inthe case of a PC configuration, the user takes advantage of his keyboardand/or mouse to use the media exchange network.

[0073] An MPS or enhanced PC is effectively a storage and distributionplatform for the exchange of personal and third party digital media,data, and services as well as for bringing the conventional televisionchannels to a user's home. An MPS and/or PC connects to the mediaexchange network via an existing communication infrastructure which mayinclude cable, DSL, satellite, etc. The connection to the communicationinfrastructure may be hard-wired or wireless.

[0074] The media exchange network allows users to effectively becometheir own broadcasters from their own homes by creating their own mediachannels and pushing those media channels to other authorized users onthe media exchange network, such as friends and family members.

[0075]FIG. 3 comprises a media exchange network 300 for exchanging andsharing digital media, data, and services in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The media exchange network 300 is asecure, closed network environment that is only accessible topre-defined users and service providers. The media exchange network ofFIG. 3 comprises a first PC 301 and a first media processing system(MPS) 302 at a user's home 303, a communication infrastructure 304,external processing hardware support 305, remote media storage 306, asecond PC 307 at a remote location 308 such as an office, and a secondMPS 309 at a parent's home 310.

[0076] The PC's 301 and 307 and the MPS's 302 and 309 each include amedia exchange software (MES) platform 311 and a networking component312 for connectivity. The MES platform 311 provides multiplecapabilities including media “push” capability, media “access”capability, media channel construction/selection, image sequenceselection, text and voice overlay, channel and program naming,inter-home routing selection, authorship and media rights management,shared inter-home media experience, billing service, and an integratedmedia guide interface providing a TV channel guide look-and-feel.

[0077] The external processing hardware support 305 comprises at leastone server such as a centralized internet server, a peer-to-peer server,or cable head end. The server may alternatively be distributed overvarious hosts or remote PC's. The MES platform 311 may also reside onthe external processing hardware support server 305. The remote mediastorage 306 may comprise user media storage and distribution systems 313and/or third party media storage and distribution systems 314.

[0078] The communication infrastructure 304 may comprise at least one ofinternet infrastructure, satellite infrastructure, cable infrastructure,dial-up infrastructure, cellular infrastructure, xDSL infrastructure,optical infrastructure, or some other infrastructure. The communicationinfrastructure 304 links the user's home 303, parent's home 310, remotemedia storage 306, and remote location office 308 to each other (i.e.,the communication infrastructure 304 links all users and serviceproviders of the media exchange network 300).

[0079] The various functions 315 of the media exchange network 300comprise generating personal network associations, personal storagemanagement, media capture device support,security/authentication/authorization support, authorship tracking andbilling and address registration and maintenance. These media exchangemanagement functions 315 may be distributed over various parts of themedia exchange network 300. For example, the personal networkassociations and personal storage management functions may be integratedin the PC 301 at the user's home 303.

[0080]FIG. 4 illustrates an example of personal media exchange over amedia exchange network 400 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In step 1, the media exchange software (MES) platform401 is used to construct personal media channels on a PC 402 by a userat “my house” 403. For example, with various media stored on the PC 402such as digital pictures 404, videos 405, and music 406, the MESplatform 401 allows the digital media to be organized by a user intoseveral channels having a media guide user interface 407 on the PC 402.

[0081] In step 2, the user at “my house” 403 pushes a media channel 408(e.g., “Joe's Music”) to “brother's house” 409 and pushes two mediachannels 410 and 411 (e.g., “Vacation Video” and “Kid's Pictures”) to“Mom's house” 412 via a peer-to-peer server 413 over the internet-basedmedia exchange network 400. “Brother's house” 409 includes a first MPS414 connected to the media exchange network 400. “Mom's house” 412includes a second MPS 415 connected to the media exchange network 400.The MPS's 414 and 415 also provide a media guide user interface 407.

[0082] In step 3, brother and/or Mom access the pushed media channelsvia their respective media processing systems (MPS's) 414 and 415 usingtheir respective MPS TV screens and remote controls.

[0083]FIG. 5 illustrates an example of third-party media exchange over amedia exchange network 500 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In step 1, a PC-initiated third-party request is madeby a first party 501 via an internet-based media exchange network 500using a media guide user interface 502 on a PC 503. In step 2, ananonymous delivery of the requested third-party channel 504 is made to asecond party 505 via the internet-based media exchange network 500. Instep 3, the second party 505 accesses the third-party channel 504 usinga media guide user interface 506 on a TV screen 507 that is integratedinto an MPS 508.

[0084] Similarly, in step A, an MPS-initiated third-party request ismade by a second party 505 via an internet-based media exchange network500 using a media guide user interface 506 on a TV screen 507 using aremote control 509. The second party 505 may key in a code, using hisremote control 509, that is correlated to a commercial or some otherthird party broadcast media. In step B, an anonymous delivery of therequested third-party channel 504 is made to a first party 501 via theinternet-based media exchange network 500. In step C, the first party501 accesses the third-party channel 504 using a media guide userinterface 502 on a PC 503.

[0085]FIG. 6 illustrates a media guide user interface 600 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The media guide userinterface 600 may be displayed on a TV screen 608 and controlled by aremote control device 609. Also, the media guide user interface 600 maybe displayed on a PC monitor and controlled by a keyboard or mouse.

[0086] The media guide user interface 600 may be configured not only forconventional TV channels but also for personal media channels 601 thatare constructed by a user of a media exchange network, friend's andfamily's media channels 602 constructed by friends and family, and thirdparty channels 603 that are constructed by third parties either uponrequest by a user of a media exchange network or based on a profile of auser.

[0087] The personal media channels 601 may include, for example, a“family vacations channel”, a “kid's sports channel”, a “my lifechannel”, a “son's life channel”, a “my music channel”, and a “kid'smusic channel”. The friends and family media channels 602 may include,for example, a “brother's channel”, a “Mom's channel”, and a “friend'schannel”. The third party media channels 603 may include, for example, a“Sears Fall sale channel” and a “car commercials channel”.

[0088] Each media channel may correspond to a schedule 604 showing, forexample, a week 605 and a year 606. For example, under the “kid's sportschannel”, Ty's soccer game could be scheduled to be viewed on Tuesday ofthe current week 605 and current year 606. For each media channel, asub-menu 607 allows for selection of certain control and accessfunctions such as “play”, “send to list”, “send to archive”, “confirmreceipt”, “view”, “purchase”, and “profile”.

[0089]FIG. 7 illustrates possible multiple instantiations of a mediaguide user interface 700 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The media guide user interface 700 may be viewed with aschedule having formats of, for example, “month, year”, “week#, year”,“day, week#”, or “hour, day”.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 8, a user of a media exchange network may pusha media channel (e.g., “Vacation in Alaska Video”) to a friend who is onthe same media exchange network. The media guide user interface 800 maygive the friend several options 801 for how to accept and download thepushed media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] For example, a first, most expensive option 803 may be “ExpressDelivery” which would deliver the pushed media to the friend in 18minutes using queuing and cost $1.20, for example. The pushed media maybe stored in a file in an MPEG 2 format that was recorded at a rate of 4Mbps, for example. Queuing comprises buffering and delivering a previouspart of the media and then buffering and delivering a next part of themedia. For example, a first six minutes of the “Vacation in AlaskaVideo” may be buffered and delivered first, then a second six minutesmay be buffered and delivered next, and so on until the entire media isdelivered.

[0092] A second, less expensive option 802 may be “Normal Delivery”which would deliver the pushed media in 2 hours and 13 minutes withoutqueuing and cost $0.59, for example. The pushed media may be stored in afile in an MPEG 2 format that was recorded at a rate of 1.5 Mbps, forexample.

[0093] A third, least expensive option 804 may be “Overnight Delivery”which would deliver the pushed media by the next morning and cost only$0.05, for example. The pushed media may be stored in a file in an MPEG2 format that was recorded at a rate of 19 Mbps and stored on a server,for example.

[0094]FIG. 9A illustrates the detailed elements of a media processingsystem (MPS) 900 and media capture devices 901 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The media capture devices 901 maycomprise audio, video, and image players, such as digital cameras,digital camcorders, and MP3 players, that each include a temporarystorage area 902 and a communication interface 903 such as, for example,a USB interface or a wireless interface. The media capture devices 901have the capability to interface to an MPS and a PC.

[0095] The MPS 900 comprises a media processing unit (MPU) 904, remoteuser interface(s) 905, and a TV screen 918 to provide integrated mediaprocessing capability and indirect user interface capability. The remoteuser interfaces 905 may comprise a voice or keyed remote control 906,keyboards and pads 907, a remote PC access interface 908, and a remotemedia system access interface 909 (i.e., providing access from anotherMPS).

[0096] The media processing unit (MPU) 904 comprises TV and radio tuners910 for image and audio consumption, communications interfaces 911,channel processing 912 (creating, storing, indexing, viewing), storage913, media players 914 (CD, DVD, Tape, PVR, MP3), an integrated userinterface 915 (to provide a TV channel guide look-and-feel), networkingcomponents 916 to provide client functions such as consumption(billing), authorization (e.g., using digital certificates and digitalID's), registration, security, and connectivity. In an alternativeembodiment of the present invention, the networking components 916 mayinclude a distributed server element 917 that is part of a distributedserver.

[0097]FIG. 9B illustrates an alternative embodiment of a mediaprocessing system (MPS) 920 in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention. The MPS 920 is essentially an enhanced set-top-boxfor viewing and interacting with various user interfaces, media, data,and services that are available on the media exchange network using, forexample, a remote control. The MPS 920 comprises a media peripheral 921,a MMS (media management system) 922, and a broadband communicationinterface 923.

[0098] The media peripheral 921 may include a TV (television), a PC(personal computer), and media players (e.g., a CD player, a DVD player,a tape player, and a MP3 player) for video, image, and audio consumptionof broadcast and/or personal channels. The broadband communicationinterface 923 may include internal modems (e.g., a cable modem or DSLmodem) or other interface devices in order to communicate with, forexample, a cable or satellite headend.

[0099] The MMS 922 includes a software platform to provide functionalityincluding media “push” capability, media “access” capability, mediachannel construction/selection, image sequence selection, text and voiceoverlay, channel and program naming, inter-home routing selection,authorship and media rights management, shared inter-home mediaexperience, billing service, and a media guide user interface providingan integrated TV channel guide look-and-feel.

[0100]FIG. 10 illustrates connectivity between a PC 1000, an MPS 1001,and external processing hardware 1002 (e.g., a server) in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The PC 1000 and MPS 1001include networking components 1003 to provide client functions such asconsumption (billing), authorization, registration, security, andconnectivity. Alternatively, the PC 1000 and MPS 1001 may include adistributed server element 1004 that is part of a distributed server.

[0101] The PC 1000 and MPS 1001 connect to the external processinghardware 1002 via wired or wireless connections. The external processinghardware 1002 comprises a distributed server or peer-to-peer server. Theexternal processing hardware 1002 also comprises communicationinterfaces 1005 (e.g., cable interfaces, optical interfaces, etc.) and amedia exchange software (MES) platform 1006. The MES platform 1006 inthe external processing hardware 1002 allows for communication with thePC 1000 and MPS 1001 which may also use the same MES plafform 1006. Theexternal processing hardware 1002 also includes networking servercomponents 1007 to provide the similar client functions such asconsumption (billing), authorization, registration, security, andconnectivity at the server side.

[0102]FIG. 11 illustrates connectivity between a PC 1100, remote mediastorage 1101, and personal media capture devices 1102 when the PC 1100is used as the primary distributor of digital media such as in the caseof PC-to-PC operation, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The personal media capture devices 1102 and remote mediastorage 1101 connect to the PC 1100 via a wireless or wired connection.The remote media storage 1101 provides user media storage anddistribution 1103 as well as third party media storage and distribution1104. The personal media capture devices 1102 provide temporary storage1114 and communication interfaces 1115.

[0103] Viewing is done using a PC monitor 1105 instead of a televisionscreen. The PC 1100 may include storage 1106, TV/radio tuners 1107 formedia consumption, media players 1108, and communication interfaces 1109and user interfaces 1110 similar to those for the MPS of FIG. 9A. The PC1100 includes a media exchange software (MES) platform 1111 thatprovides channel construction capability 1112 and networking capability1113. The channel construction capability 1112 allows third party andpersonal media access, sequencing, editing, media overlays and inserts,billing, scheduling, and addressing.

[0104] In another embodiment of the invention may provide a system forcontrolling the transfer of media content in a communication network.The system may comprise at least one processor that may be adapted toreceive an input which specifies one or more media files that are to betransferred via a communication channel in the communication network.The processor may also receive a selection that specifies variousquality of service (QoS) parameters that are to be utilized tofacilitate the transfer of the media files via the communicationchannel. Accordingly, one or more of the media files may be transferredby the processor via the communication channel utilizing the quality ofservice selection. The processor may be a media processing systemprocessor, a media management system processor, a computer processor, amedia exchange software processor and/or a media peripheral processor.

[0105] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the processormay transfer at least a portion of the specified parameters to a firstcommunication device that is coupled to the communication network. Thefirst communication device may be a broadband headend or a media server.The second device may use some or all of the transferred parameters toconfigure at least a portion of the communication channel.

[0106] In another aspect of the invention, the input received by theprocessor specifying one or more media files that are to be transferredmay be generated from a media guide, channel guide or a device guide. Inthis regard, the received input selection may be generated from, forexample, a television screen within a home on which the media guide,channel guide and/or device guide may be displayed. The processor may befurther adapted to queue and/or buffer at least various portions of theselected media files during transfer of the media files.

[0107] A cost associated with the quality of service selections may bepresented by the processor to a user via, for example, a televisionscreen within a home. The processor may also be configured to vary thecost based on the selected parameters that are utilized to specify theselected quality of service. Exemplary parameters that may be utilizedto transfer the selected media files may comprise, a resolution, colorcontent, encoding type, encoding rate, compression type, display size,bandwidth required to transfer the selected media file, a time requiredfor the transfer, and a cost of the transfer.

[0108] Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software. The presentinvention may be realized in a centralized fashion in one computersystem, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spreadacross several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computersystem or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods describedherein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may bea general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, whenbeing loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that itcarries out the methods described herein.

[0109] The present invention may also be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of aset of instructions intended to cause a system having an informationprocessing capability to perform a particular function either directlyor after either or both of the following: a) conversion to anotherlanguage, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different materialform.

[0110] While the present invention has been described with reference tocertain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes may be made and equivalents may be substitutedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition,many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation ormaterial to the teachings of the present invention without departingfrom its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention notbe limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the presentinvention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, for controlling transfer of mediacontent in a communication network, the method comprising: receiving aninput specifying at least one media file for transfer via acommunication channel in the communication network; receiving a qualityof service selection specifying parameters for said transfer of said atleast one media file via said communication channel; and transferringsaid at least one media file via said communication channel utilizingsaid quality of service selection.
 2. The method according to claim 1,further comprising transferring at least a portion of said specifiedparameters to a first communication device coupled to the communicationnetwork.
 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprisingconfiguring at least a portion of said communication channel by saidsecond device utilizing said transferred at least a portion of saidspecified parameters.
 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein saidfirst communication device is at least one of a broadband headend and amedia server.
 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprisinggenerating said received input specifying said at least one media filefor transfer via at least one of a media guide, channel guide and adevice guide.
 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprisinggenerating said received input from a television screen within a home.7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising at least one ofqueuing and buffering at least a portion of said at least one media fileduring said transferring.
 8. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising presenting a cost for transferring said at least one mediafile via said communication channel utilizing said quality of serviceselection.
 9. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingvarying said cost depending on said selected parameters that specifysaid quality of service.
 10. The method according to claim 1, whereinsaid parameters for said transfer of said at least one media filecomprises at least one of a resolution, color content, encoding type,encoding rate, compression type, display size, a bandwidth to beutilized for transfer of said transfer, a time to be utilized for saidtransfer, and a cost for said transfer.
 11. A machine-readable storagehaving stored thereon, a computer program having at least one codesection for controlling transfer of media content in a communicationnetwork, the at least one code section being executable by a machine forcausing the machine to perform steps comprising: receiving an inputspecifying at least one media file for transfer via a communicationchannel in the communication network; receiving a quality of serviceselection specifying parameters for said transfer of said at least onemedia file via said communication channel; and transferring said atleast one media file via said communication channel utilizing at saidquality of service selection.
 12. The machine-readable storage accordingto claim 11, further comprising code for transferring at least a portionof said specified parameters to a first communication device coupled tothe communication network.
 13. The machine-readable storage according toclaim 12, further comprising code for configuring at least a portion ofsaid communication channel by said second device utilizing saidtransferred at least a portion of said specified parameters.
 14. Themachine-readable storage according to claim 12, wherein said firstcommunication device is at least one of a broadband headend and a mediaserver.
 15. The machine-readable storage according to claim 11, furthercomprising code for generating said received input specifying said atleast one media file for transfer via at least one of a media guide,channel guide and a device guide.
 16. The machine-readable storageaccording to claim 11, further comprising code for generating saidreceived input from a television screen within a home.
 17. Themachine-readable storage according to claim 11, further comprising codefor at least one of queuing and buffering at least a portion of said atleast one media file during said transferring.
 18. The machine-readablestorage according to claim 11, further comprising code for presenting acost for transferring said at least one media file via saidcommunication channel utilizing said quality of service selection. 19.The machine-readable storage according to claim 11, further comprisingcode for varying said cost depending on said selected parameters thatspecify said quality of service.
 20. The machine-readable storageaccording to claim 11, wherein said parameters for said transfer of saidat least one media file comprises at least one of a resolution, colorcontent, encoding type, encoding rate, compression type, display size, abandwidth to be utilized for transfer of said transfer, a time to beutilized for said transfer, and a cost for said transfer.
 21. A systemfor controlling transfer of media content in a communication network,the system comprising: at least one processor that receives an inputspecifying at least one media file for transfer via a communicationchannel in the communication network; said at least one processorreceives a quality of service selection specifying parameters for saidtransfer of said at least one media file via said communication channel;and said at least one processor transfers said at least one media filevia said communication channel utilizing said quality of serviceselection.
 22. The system according to claim 21, wherein said at leastone processor transfers at least a portion of said specified parametersto a first communication device coupled to the communication network.23. The system according to claim 22, wherein said at least oneprocessor configures at least a portion of said communication channel bysaid second device utilizing said transferred at least a portion of saidspecified parameters.
 24. The system according to claim 22, wherein saidfirst communication device is at least one of a broadband headend and amedia server.
 25. The system according to claim 21, wherein said atleast one processor generates said received input specifying said atleast one media file to transfer via at least one of a media guide,channel guide and a device guide.
 26. The system according to claim 21,wherein said at least one processor generates said received input from atelevision screen within a home.
 27. The system according to claim 21,wherein said at least one processor at least one of queues and buffersat least a portion of said at least one media file during saidtransferring.
 28. The system according to claim 21, wherein said atleast one processor presents a cost for transferring said at least onemedia file via said communication channel utilizing said quality ofservice selection.
 29. The system according to claim 21, wherein said atleast one processor varies said cost depending on said selectedparameters that specify said quality of service.
 30. The systemaccording to claim 21, wherein said parameters for said transfer of saidat least one media file comprises at least one of a resolution, colorcontent, encoding type, encoding rate, compression type, display size, abandwidth to be utilized for transfer of said transfer, a time to beutilized for said transfer, and a cost for said transfer.
 31. The systemaccording to claim 21, wherein said at least one processor is at leastone of a media processing system processor, a media management systemprocessor, a computer processor, a media exchange software processor anda media peripheral processor.